Exploring How Older Adult’s Gender Role is Associated with Studied Outcomes Following an Outdoor Exercise Structure Program

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the gender roles of people interested in an exercise program done on outdoor exercise structures and test if gender roles were associated with studied outcomes. Older adults aged 65+ who were not currently performing resistance training were invited to participate. Gender roles were quantified using the Bem Sex Role Inventory 30-item questionnaire (−60 [feminine] to +60 [masculine]). Outcomes included completing the 6-week intervention (Y/N) and changes in physical function (one leg stance, 30-s chair stand), strength (predicted maximal chest press and leg press, grip strength), power (knee extensor power), and overall health via the SF-36 questionnaire. Twenty-nine adults (65.5% female; median 72 years old) participated in the study, and 17 completed the intervention (58.6%). The median (interquartile) gender role score was −13.0 (−19.5 to −8.5), with no gender role difference ( p = .62) between completers and non-completers. These results suggest that older adults interested in such a program portray themselves as more feminine. No association was found between gender role scores and changes in any study outcomes. In this setting, gender roles did not seem to impact the study outcomes and therefore may not need to be considered when designing an outdoor exercise structure program.